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James, who has 10 Wales caps to his name, shot into the wider public consciousness thanks to a stunning season with the South Wales club last year.

He enjoyed a particularly brilliant end to the season, after a moved to Leeds United broke down in the January, which ultimately caught the eye of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his staff at United.

But James cites a feeling of mixed emotion when he signed for the Old Trafford club, one of the biggest sporting organisations in the world, as the passing of his father was still very raw and, understandably, the grieving process was weighing heavily upon him.

“It was a great day signing for United but it was upsetting as well," he added.

“My dad knew I was going to sign for United but he didn’t get to be there when I actually did.

“That’s something that has obviously affected me sometimes this season. But in other ways it drives me on. I know he always believed in me.

“It didn’t hit me until a while after because it didn’t feel real. I still thought I was going to go home and see him.

"Him and my mum are the main reason why I am at United.”

James began his United career like a train, scoring three goals in his first four league games for the club. After his first strike, in his Old Trafford debut against Chelsea, he pointed to the sky in homage to his late father.

He has played 37 times in all competitions for Solskjaer's side this season, more than many, probably including James, will have thought he would have played.

And while there have been ups and downs, and an unprecedented media spotlight, the likes of which he would never have had to deal before, there are doubtless better times to come for the supremely-talented youngster.